.36 or .40 ?

[azmntman]

Well I was impressed :idunno:

 

[BrownBear]

Yeah, I was too. I see it more as an additional option to the OP if he goes with a 40. Certainly nothing to snatch your panties up tight about.

 

[azmntman]

I have a .36 traditions and the accuracy is POOR. I may have shot w/o cleaning preservative out good? Will soak in gas, brush, clean and try again. Maybe use more powder. Was shooting about 20 I believe when I tried to get it sighted in. Like 3" groups at 40 yds. No good. I would expect near cloverleaf at 40 yds.

 

[davescott]

it falls under etc

 

[Curt]

Brown Bear I started off with a 32 SMR back in 79 and had the best results with 28 grains of 3 fff Goex.Built 3 or 4 more to keep in practice ,then built a 36 and had equal success with it then tried a 40 Chuck Edwards rifle and i saw a huge difference in the damage dept .You either kill them or miss them although I did scalp one one time.I think a guy ought to take up squrriell huntin before he goes deer huntin because of all there is to learn,and you will be better prepaired.JMHO Curt

 

[Joshsimonswvu]

In WV you can deer hunt with 40 so that is my next gun. ha ha. If I'm deer hunting I see squirrels and vice versa. So, I figured I ort to take a gun that ensures I wont see nothing!

 

[azmntman]

Now thats a idea that is sure to produce! AND....you wont have to clean nothin :blah: :applause:

 

[Vaino]

I'd go w/ the .40 because of a sturdier RR {3/8"}....although my favorite squirrel LR is a .45. Used to shoot squirrels when first hunting w/ a MLer w/ a .50...of course they had to be "head hits", but I think all squirrels should be hit in the head except when using shot or if one relishes fried squirrel brains.....Fred

 

[Col. Batguano]

Have you thought of shooting a cleaner burning powder, like Swiss in your 32? A lot of people report better accuracy with it, and a lot don't. I'd suggest you try a pound and see. That might help reduce fouling, along with a water based lube for range shooting. In the field you don't shoot as much or go longer between shots, so you want an oil based one for that.

 

[greysmoke]

Thanks to all for your insights. I no longer own the .32, needed the cash for the step-up. And,btw, I tried, 3F and 2F Goex, 3F KIK, 3F Swiss and Pyrodex P (it was a caplock)and different patch thicknesses. I struggled with all of them. I suspect that the gun had more troubles than just fouling. Maybe the new owner will have better experiences than I did.

 

[Col. Batguano]

I guess that's up to them to find out for themselves. I didn't tell the new owner of my old girlfriend about her problems either. Better him than me I say! :grin:

 

[Tinker2]

I prefer the .36 and I have more of them than most.

I can’t say anything bad about the .40’s I have two, great little guns.

I just prefer the .36’s rifled or smooth bore.

You should be happy with either.




William Alexander

 

[Gobbletn]

Great advise..... One caliber is not enought to notice much. Get the .40 and enjoy. Unless you like having one of each caliber, then just go buy them all!. I personally have .32, .36, .40, .50 flintlocks.... Rice barrels all of them and the .40 is by far my favorite.

 

[Gobbletn]

I too use the .40 here in TN for deer... Taken a few thus far! However, lost a nice buck thus year. Shoulder shot, bad placement on my part, rolled him and he got up staggered off before I could reload. Never found him or ANY blood. Placement must be proper... Just sayin

 

[hanshi]

I probably need to mention that I have a very nice .40 as well as a .32 and a .36. For the one gun man the .40 is a no-brainer. The .32 & .36 are, IMHO, more specialized; small game and varmints are their forte. These two small bores are ideal for squirrel, rabbit and turkey size critters.

 

[Mickc01]

I vote .40. I have 2 of them and they are the smallest caliber I have. I just think ramrods get a little small and a bit scary from a possible breakage standpoint when you go below a 40. Might just be me since it's such a small margin but it's just my 2 cents....Mick C

 

[MSW]

I come down on the side of the .40 - a fine caliber for small and medium sized critters, and pretty accurate if you want to punch paper or take on wild soda cans. (be careful - I've run across soda can hopped up on drugs: they have the strength of four or five soda cans)

make good smoke!

 

[Semisane]

(be careful - I've run across soda can hopped up on drugs: they have the strength of four or five soda cans)

 

[1853enfield]

I have followed this post with interest. I currently have a 40 cal flintlock that should be here in a week or so. I have had a 54 renegade for many years and recently picked up a 50 caliber barrel for it. liked it so well I now also have a 45 caliber t/c. I an really looking forward to getting the 40 caliber finter. I don't know why as I have never even shot one of those sparkey things. I have 100 balls ready to go and found a 4 cavity .395 lyman mould on e-bay. not sure why I bought a 4 cavity except I got it for a good price with a front loader a single cavity mould actually works pretty well.

 

[M. De Land]

I respectfully disagree and think a .45 is just about as close to an all around caliber as one can own.
Good on targets, squirrel or deer and easy on powder and lead.
I do want a .36 next though for just the joy of shooting a small bore.
My .58 and .54 don't get much use anymore since the .45 was born in my shop. :grin: